Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sadsburyville, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly perceived as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. By encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows, hair provides a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption. A sample taken near the scalp can offer a detection period reaching up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and aids in convenient shipping.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equal volume of body hair may be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. It includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data not provided electronically.

Screening involves an initial swift assessment for drug abuse. While it offers a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result needs a confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptive positive samples from Screening require another layer of confirmation.

If Screening shows a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for further processing in Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration far lower than in other methodologies, like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is particularly challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection duration: Hair drug testing detects drug use over a 90-day period, whereas urine tests provide a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Historic data provision: It offers a timeline of drug consumption, rather than merely detecting recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-ingestion.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur more costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", this method examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sadsburyville, PA In the ongoing comparison between hair and urine drug tests, hair follicle testing excels by offering superior detection accuracy. It provides a comprehensive view, capturing a broader spectrum of substance use over time compared to urine tests, which are limited to recent use.

Unlike urine tests, which can be affected by short-term actions, hair testing resists circumvention. The method's reliability and precision ensure better outcomes for employers needing thorough assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sadsburyville, PA Hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage through an extended detection period, encompassing up to 90 days. This broad window grants employers detailed insights into an individual's substance use history, contrasting sharply with the brief scope of urine tests.

This method presents a substantial benefit for ongoing monitoring and assessments, ensuring that patterns of use are comprehensively evaluated.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sadsburyville, PA Hair follicle tests offer a robust solution to the challenge of sample tampering. This method enhances the credibility of results as it's inherently resistant to the common manipulations urine samples may undergo.

With observed collection and minimal opportunities for alteration, hair testing stands as a reliable measure, preserving the integrity and accuracy of drug use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sadsburyville, PA Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy access to hair follicle testing through its extensive network of centers located across the country. This vast coverage eliminates inconvenience, allowing quick and smooth testing for all clients.

Local and nationwide centers ensure that testing services are readily available where and when you need them.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sadsburyville, PA The hair testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering a test to the collection and results handling, discretion and ease of use are prioritized, alleviating concerns about privacy breaches.

Our streamlined procedures ensure that participants can undertake tests with confidence, keeping sensitive information protected at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sadsburyville, PA With competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, hair follicle testing is accessible for businesses of all sizes. This efficiency translates to savings and assurance, allowing timely decision-making based on reliable data.

Organizations can enjoy cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality or speed, reaping benefits from our swift and economical service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sadsburyville, PA Hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision, producing highly accurate results. Its ability to detect substance use is recognized for both speed and dependability, ensuring swift outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.

The meticulous nature of hair analysis leads to reliable results, creating confidence in the process and conclusions drawn. Access swift and exact results that assure every test is conclusive and informative.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sadsburyville, PA Implementing hair follicle testing in the workplace not only ensures compliance with drug-free policies but also minimizes legal liabilities. By adopting this testing methodology, companies can reinforce safety measures, maintaining a secure and productive environment for all employees.

Employers achieve peace of mind knowing that they adhere to regulations while fostering a safe workspace.

Drug Testing Near Sadsburyville, PA

Thorndale, PA

Guthriesville, PA

Honey Brook, PA

Gap, PA

Cochranville, PA

Caln, PA

Christiana, PA

Modena, PA

Atglen, PA

South Coatesville, PA

Ercildoun, PA

Coatesville, PA

Parkesburg, PA

Westwood, PA

Pomeroy, PA

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews